In order of occurrence, the major prophets are isaiah, jeremiah, lamentations, ezekiel, and daniel. The number twelve in the bible is associated with governmental perfection and sometimes relates to gods divine authority or sovereignty. Quotations are for the most part taken from that work, as are paraphrases of its commentarythus the notes. In the minor prohets 1 youll discover the prophetic testimonies of hosea, joel, amos, obadiah, jonah, and micah. The terms minor prophets and twelve prophets can also refer to the twelve traditional authors of these works. This is the full 12 bible study guide books in the spotlight on the minor prophets series.
Minor prophets, study of camp hill church of christ. There are seven prophetic periods of prophets in the bible. The minor prophets summary by michael mcgoodwin, prepared 1989. The apostle paul wrote the following in 1 corinthians 10.
Stephens history of the jews acts 7 contains 11 ot quotations. The book of the twelve or the minor prophets biblica. Study in the minor prophets introduction to the minor prophets page 4 d. We will study the prophets by the century in which they lived. An introductory word concerning the minor prophets. The term minor relates to the length of each book ranging from a single chapter to fourteen.
The minor prophets are described as minor because their books are shorter although hosea and zechariah are almost as long as daniel and the content is more narrowly focused. The books written by the 12 minor prophets may have been shorter, but their messages had a major impact on the new testament. In the minor prohets 2 youll discover the insights of nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah, haggai, zechariah, and malachi into gods character. The major prophets are described as major because of the longer lengths of their books, not their significance. The prophets indeed describe the advent in two forms which could not be contemporaneous e. Daniel began to prophesy before ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The title minor refers to length, not significance. Prophetic books of the bible the prophetic books address the classical period of biblical prophecy 2. Feb 16, 2007 major isaiah jeremiah lamentations ezekiel daniel the term major refers to their length, not their importance. The socalled minor prophets of the old testament also known as the twelve nevertheless had a majo r impact in their day. Each book has an introductory section, a sectionbysection exposition and comments at the end of each chapter. The major prophets and minor prophets are terms used in regard to the old testament portion of the bible to distinguish the generally longer books of prophecy from the shorter ones.
These 12 minor prophets have much to tell us in the 21st century, even though they wrote more than 2,400 years ago about ancient empires, like assyria and babylonia. Both the major and minor prophets are usually among the. He thus indicated that these 12 prophecies were at that time thought of as a unit and were probably already written together on one scroll, as is the case in. In still others, the figurative, or symbolic, element comes to the fore. Some bible books tell us what occurred at a certain time, and others are poetic, each with unique value. The collection is broken up to form twelve individual books in the christian old testament, one for each of the prophets. This summary of the 12 prophets gives an overall view or a summary, of the minor prophets one by one as they saught to change the lives of their people, and protect them from the wrath of an angry god most of the time. Which minor prophet opens his book by depicting an invasion of locusts in israel. Jesus called him the greatest that was ever born of a woman save himself of course in mathew 11. On hosea 1 the introductory word and the symbol of a wife of harlotries 1 on hosea 2 the symbol of a wife of harlotries 2 on hosea 3 the sins of the apostate people, the punishments of jehovah, and the return of the apostate people on hosea 4 the sins of israel in forsaking jehovah and. The minor prophets the books written by the 12 minor prophets may have been shorter, but their messages had a major impact on the new testament. Their individual works were meaningful not only to specific peoples of the northern or southern kingdoms of israel at that time, but are also significant throughout the centuries including today. Theologian james montgomery boice comments on how the minor prophets dramatize the character of god as few other books do. Therefore, we will not be studying them in the order as found in the scripture.
There have been prophets throughout every era of gods relationship with mankind, but the books of the prophets address the classical period of prophecyduring the later years of the divided kingdoms of judah and israel, throughout the time. Old testament prophets spoke as the holy spirit moved them to speak. It is interesting that there are twelve prophets because that was the number of disciples and later, apostles and there were also twelve tribes of israel. Of special value to gods church on earth today the keepers of his vineyardare the messages of counsel and admonition given through the prophets who have made plain his eternal purpose in behalf of mankind.
That does not mean the minor prophets are any less inspired than the major prophets. The major prophets come first in english versions of the bible and include isaiah, jeremiah, lamentations, ezekiel, and daniel. In these 12 studies, youll gain a whole new appreciation for these prophets, their commitment, and the god they served. Jehovahs messages for then and now watchtower online. Minor hosea joel amos obadiah jonah micah nahum habakkuk zephaniah haggai zechariah malachi the term minor refers to the books lengths, not their importance.
Chronological order of the minor prophets in our bibles, the minor prophets do not appear in chronological order. Roughly in chronological order, each of these short books gives a glimpse into the spiritual landscape and history of israel. Of special value to gods church on earth todaythe keepers of his vineyardare the messages of counsel and admonition given through the prophets who have made plain his eternal purpose in behalf of mankind. The bibles minor prophets were, for the most part, simple ordinary people like you and i. Hearing the voice of the minor prophets by richard alan fuhr jr. Taken from a christian stand point, this is an introduction to the old testament prophets, known commonly as the minor prophets. There are five major prophetic books and twelve minor ones, and taken together, they comprise twentynine percent of the old testament and twentytwo percent of the bible as a whole. Jan 02, 2020 that does not mean the minor prophets are any less inspired than the major prophets.
While we cannot be absolute about all of them, there is enough evidence for the vast majority to place them in somewhat of a chronological order. It is simply a matter of god choosing to reveal more to the major prophets than he did to the minor prophets. This simple plan will lead you through the old testament minor prophets. Sep 10, 20 this is the full 12 bible study guide books in the spotlight on the minor prophets series. There is also some debate about when various books were. Moses and the prophets was a way of referring to the old testament scriptures. Po box 922 harrisburg, pa 17108 5431 jonestown road, harrisburg, pa 17112 email. The terms minor prophets and twelve prophets can also refer to the. A prophet in the bible was someone who revealed gods messages to others. The minor prophets form the last 12 books of the old testament. Minor prophets differences are removed, and the simple yet profound thoughts of god recorded in the bible made apparent to us.
The book of hosea consists of fourteen chapters, which was the record for a minor prophet until zechariah tied it a couple centuries later. By the jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The minor prophets and you free bible study guides. Minor prophets gill international college of the bible. Introduction the title the common title for these twelve books of the english bible is minor prophets. Who were the major and minor prophets in the bible.
For this reason, it is inadvisable to limit one self to a single. Bible, old testament, law, history poetry, major prophets, minor prophets learn with flashcards, games, and more for free. The bible uses the termsmajor and minor simply as a way to divide the prophetic books of the old testament. They present a firsthand view of an allpowerful god who longs to connect with his people. During the time of the minor prophets, the nation of israel had divided into two separate countries, each with its own government. John is not grouped with either the major prophets or the minor prophets because he is a unique prophet altogether but is understood that he came in the spirit of elijah matt 17. When your faith in god is challenged, do the minor prophets have the answers. Some, like joseph and daniel, interpreted the dreams andor visions of others. The twelve minor prophets is the eighth and last book in the second section of the hebrew bible, the neviim, or prophets. The number twelve in the bible is associated with governmental perfection and sometimes. It is, as its name implies, not a unified whole but a collection of 12 independent books, by at least 12 different prophets. Studies in the minor prophets 7 obadiah the judgment of edom introduction 1. Old testament major prophet books a lessons lessons prepared by.
Some, like moses, heard directly from god and passed on the words through writing or speech. When christian scholars refer to the prophetic books of the bible, they are talking primarily about the old testament scriptures written by the prophets. It is a little confusing because in the bible the prophets are arranged according to the major and minor prophetic books. With just a few chapters of reading each day, this plan would be great for individual or group study. Survey of the minor prophets the church of christ in.
Studies in the minor prophets minor prophets books of. The minor prophets is a collection of twelve old testament books, known simply as the twelve or the book of the twelve in the hebrew bible. Jan, 2019 prophetic books of the bible prophets have existed throughout every era of gods relationship with mankind, but the old testament books of the prophets address the classical period of prophecy from the later years of the divided kingdoms of judah and israel, throughout the time of exile, and into the years of israels return from exile. Hosea, joel, amos, obadiah, jonah, micah, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah, haggai, zechariah, and malachi.
What is the difference between major and minor prophets. The three greater prophets, isaiah, jeremiah, and ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. This is a very good commentary to the first 6 hosea, joel, amos, obadiah, jonah and mica, the rest being covered in minor prophets ii new international biblical com oldqualtiy paper. The prophetic books are divided into categories of major and minor prophets. These labels do not refer to the importance of the prophets, but rather, to the length of the books authored by them. Ezekiel, isaiah, and jeremiah, old testament question. These are usually found after the larger bible books of ezekiel and daniel but before matthews gospel. Old testament books of prophets 17 books bible blog. Old testament minor prophets devotional reading plan.
The term major refers only to their length, in distinction to the twelve minor prophets, whose books are much shorter and grouped together as a single book in the hebrew bible. Minor prophets i understanding the bible commentary series. Jun 14, 2016 when your faith in god is challenged, do the minor prophets have the answers. Find out with nathan jones and steve howell on the show christ in prophecy. This title originated in augustines time late fourth century a. The minor prophets were not less important than the major prophets, they were just more concise. Both the major and minor prophets are usually among the least popular books of the bible for christians to read. These books are centred on a prophet, traditionally regarded as the author of the respective book. The book of the twelve or the minor prophets biblica the. The minor prophets summary by michael mcgoodwin, prepared 1989 acknowledgement. The jewish tanakh sometimes called the hebrew bible contains 24 books divided into three parts. Minor prophets austin bible church pastor bob bolender 6 obadiah i. Different religious groups include different books in their biblical canons, in varying orders, and sometimes divide or combine books. The only difference between the two is the number of pages written.
One would think, if you look at the length of isaiah, jeremiah, and ezekiel that major prophets had more to say since the minor prophets books are very short. The books of the minor prophets of the bible are hosea, joel, amos, obadiah, jonah, micah, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah, haggai, zechariah and malachi. The first of the the minor prophets we shall consider is obadiah, whose book is the shortest of all the books in the old testament 2. These books have been summarized using the new international version study bible niv translation 197384, published zondervan 1985.
The literary prophets are categorized as major and minor. Jones study from the bible and be encouraged to grow your faith. The story of jonah is perhaps the best known of the minor prophets. Minor prophets i understanding the bible commentary. The sermons in the book of acts are filled with the words of the prophets. Jehovahs messages for then and now watchtower online library. He said to him, if they do not listen to moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. Jonah, obadiah, joel, micah, amos, hosea, nahum,zephaniah, habakkuk, haggai, zechariah and malachi. However, each one was called by god to deliver his messages. Israel, the northern country consisting of ten tribes, and judah, the remaining two tribes in the south. The major prophets is a grouping of books in the christian old testament, but not occurring in the hebrew bible. The minor prophets are also sometimes called the twelve. This is the group of 12 books often called the minor prophets.